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- Prototype Lawn Mower, Designed by Norman Swanson, circa 1956 - Norman Swanson created this prototype lawn mower that he used to mow his family's land in suburban Warrenville, Illinois. He configured a multiple-cutter system and mounted it under his International Harvester Cub Lo-Boy tractor. He also designed a deflector above the blades to better pulverize the grass clippings. Swanson received patents for these two lawn mowing innovations in 1959.
- circa 1956
- Collections - Artifact
Prototype Lawn Mower, Designed by Norman Swanson, circa 1956
Norman Swanson created this prototype lawn mower that he used to mow his family's land in suburban Warrenville, Illinois. He configured a multiple-cutter system and mounted it under his International Harvester Cub Lo-Boy tractor. He also designed a deflector above the blades to better pulverize the grass clippings. Swanson received patents for these two lawn mowing innovations in 1959.
- International Harvester Cub Lo-Boy Tractor, circa 1955 - The Cub was the smallest tractor International Harvester made. The model, introduced as an alternative to draft horses after World War II, became popular among small landowners needing a utility tractor to mow, cultivate a garden, grade roadways, and perform other maintenance. The tractor featured "CultiVision" with the driver's seat and wheel offset to the right to provide a clear view of fields.
- circa 1955
- Collections - Artifact
International Harvester Cub Lo-Boy Tractor, circa 1955
The Cub was the smallest tractor International Harvester made. The model, introduced as an alternative to draft horses after World War II, became popular among small landowners needing a utility tractor to mow, cultivate a garden, grade roadways, and perform other maintenance. The tractor featured "CultiVision" with the driver's seat and wheel offset to the right to provide a clear view of fields.
- Prototype Walking Tractor with Tri-Cut Mower, circa 1956 - Norman Swanson built this prototype mower in his garden tool and tractor shed. The mower employed multiple blades -- an improvement from the single-blade Montgomery & Ward mower from which he took inspiration. This was his first mower in a line of prototypes he built between 1956 and 1964. Swanson received a patent for his "Multiple Cutter Power Mower" in 1959.
- circa 1956
- Collections - Artifact
Prototype Walking Tractor with Tri-Cut Mower, circa 1956
Norman Swanson built this prototype mower in his garden tool and tractor shed. The mower employed multiple blades -- an improvement from the single-blade Montgomery & Ward mower from which he took inspiration. This was his first mower in a line of prototypes he built between 1956 and 1964. Swanson received a patent for his "Multiple Cutter Power Mower" in 1959.
- Bradley Riding Lawn Mower, 1958-1960 - This prototype riding mower, built by Norman Swanson, was used to make production drawings for “Bradley” mowers sold by Sears, Roebuck and Co. from 1958-1960. (The David Bradley Manufacturing Company had been owned and operated by Sears since 1910.) A conflict over royalty payments ended the short-lived Swanson-Sears agreement, but Swanson's engineering left an indelible impression on lawn mower design.
- 1958-1960
- Collections - Artifact
Bradley Riding Lawn Mower, 1958-1960
This prototype riding mower, built by Norman Swanson, was used to make production drawings for “Bradley” mowers sold by Sears, Roebuck and Co. from 1958-1960. (The David Bradley Manufacturing Company had been owned and operated by Sears since 1910.) A conflict over royalty payments ended the short-lived Swanson-Sears agreement, but Swanson's engineering left an indelible impression on lawn mower design.
- Riding Lawn Mower Production Model, circa 1964 - Norman Swanson formed Swanson Engineering, and he and his son Curtis made 50 of these mowers, selling them under the Swanson name. Each mower included a patented mechanism that carried the cutting blades above uneven landscapes so they did not damage the turf or the blades. This innovation became a standard feature on riding mowers.
- circa 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Riding Lawn Mower Production Model, circa 1964
Norman Swanson formed Swanson Engineering, and he and his son Curtis made 50 of these mowers, selling them under the Swanson name. Each mower included a patented mechanism that carried the cutting blades above uneven landscapes so they did not damage the turf or the blades. This innovation became a standard feature on riding mowers.
- Will-Mow Riding Lawn Mower, 1958-1963 - Norman Swanson designed the Wil-Mow lawn mower with a saddle that carried the blades above uneven landscapes, preventing them from digging into the ground and damaging the turf. Swanson hoped to manufacture the mower -- complete with transmissions that he and his son Curtis would build -- but the company he contracted with closed before production could begin.
- 1958-1963
- Collections - Artifact
Will-Mow Riding Lawn Mower, 1958-1963
Norman Swanson designed the Wil-Mow lawn mower with a saddle that carried the blades above uneven landscapes, preventing them from digging into the ground and damaging the turf. Swanson hoped to manufacture the mower -- complete with transmissions that he and his son Curtis would build -- but the company he contracted with closed before production could begin.
- "Blue" Riding Mower, 1956-1958 - Norman Swanson built this prototype riding mower after conversations with his neighbor, Russ Carlson, and Cliff Pennington. Pennington manufactured mowers for Sears, Roebuck and Co., and Sears was looking for new design ideas. This demonstration prototype convinced Sears executives to sell mowers with a deflector mounted above the blade to pulverize grass clippings -- a feature patented by Swanson in 1957.
- 1956-1958
- Collections - Artifact
"Blue" Riding Mower, 1956-1958
Norman Swanson built this prototype riding mower after conversations with his neighbor, Russ Carlson, and Cliff Pennington. Pennington manufactured mowers for Sears, Roebuck and Co., and Sears was looking for new design ideas. This demonstration prototype convinced Sears executives to sell mowers with a deflector mounted above the blade to pulverize grass clippings -- a feature patented by Swanson in 1957.